So we know that when our leaders in business, government and the community are making decisions on our behalf, they are guided by a clear organising framework.

One that is committed to delivering prosperity for all, and has people at its heart.

That’s how we build confidence, and that’s how we earn trust.

Different approach to public policy

And when we’ve built that trust, I think it’s imperative we adopt a new approach to public policy.

We need to accept that the old ways of thinking will simply not cut through. And the old ways of doing things won’t work.

At the moment, policy is pursued in many arenas.

Independent agencies like the Productivity Commission, consultants, academia, think tanks, policy and advocacy agencies like the Business Council, and business itself.

But the true custodians of policy are the public service.

It is really only the public service that goes through every stage of policy:

Problem identification.

Getting Cabinet buy-in to it being a problem worthy of government’s attention.

Designing a solution.

Finding a way to fund the solution.

Co-designing solutions and getting stakeholder buy in.

Helping Cabinet and the government to create a narrative for why the change is needed and how to explain how something will work and impacts of a policy change.

Testing and proof of concept, proofing an idea and carefully socialising it.

Designing a workable implementation, and then implementing it efficiently and effectively.

Managing any fallout, and learning from and correcting the inevitable implementation failures.

And last but not least, embedding the cultural and organisational change that is generally needed for new policy and new programs.

I would argue far too much policy is being developed on the run and in the public domain.

Or as a series of announcements when the detailed work has not been done.

Important design steps, particularly testing and scenario modelling are skipped.

And co-design with external experts, including those in service delivery, has become a rarity.

Good policy needs to be tested, and that’s why the concept of a green and white paper worked.

It gave government room to work with experts and test ideas with stakeholders.

As someone who arguably has influence, but also often watches from the sidelines, it is frustrating to see narrow perspectives and poor process kill good ideas.

I have no argument with the public service remaining the custodian of policy.

And I strongly support the important roles Cabinet and our Parliament play in creating the laws of this country, and representing all citizens.

But, the lack of engagement, transparency and collaboration in policy development cannot continue.

I just outlined 10 fundamental steps for a good policy development process. And all 10 steps pose risks and unknowns.

How can it possibly be realistic for this to be the domain of one institution?

Surely business, academia, the community sector, and religious groups have expertise that could improve our policy?

I for one know there’s no shortage of will to contribute.

Einstein could have been talking about how we do policy in Australia today when he said ‘we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.’

It’s time for a new approach to public policy in Australia.

Let’s begin with true co-design and transparency, and see new ideas and creativity flourish.

Clear policy agenda – smart policy vs. not smart policy

We also need to pursue a clear policy agenda to overcome our more traditional policy challenges.

The first thing business and academia need to do is recapture the centre, and bring policy with it.

History tells us we don’t grow the pie and share the wealth on either end of the extreme.

People are questioning globalisation, migration, innovation and the value and virtues of technology.

But these have been, and will continue to be, the drivers of Australia’s prosperity.

The smart policy would be to create an environment which encourages more investment, innovation, and more and better jobs.

The smart policy would be to capitalise on the opportunities of the ‘internet of everything’.

The not so smart policy agenda would be to lock up the economy, protect industries and jobs, and put up barriers to trade.

It would be counter-productive and the forces of technology simply wouldn’t allow it.

The smart policy would be to have thriving and competitive large, small and medium businesses that interact and complement each other.

The not so smart policy agenda would be to pit large and small businesses against one another, which would further stymie our competitiveness.

The smart policy would be to drive higher investment through a more competitive tax system.

The not so smart policy agenda would be to ignore what our competitors are doing with their company tax rates.

Some economists say reducing company taxes is a leap of faith.

I’ll tell you what the leap of faith is: it’s leaving them where they are.

That leap of faith assumes that people will continue to want to do business here, no matter how expensive or how hard it is.

The smart policy would be to build a world-class education and skills system by having a future-oriented VET and higher education system.

The not so smart policy would be to continue to say VET isn’t as important as higher education.

The smart policy would be to take our school system into the 21st century by improving teacher quality and moving beyond a traditional class-based model.

The not so smart policy agenda would be to expend all our energy and time debating false funding shortfalls in schools.

Or reducing class sizes when the evidence tells us that should not be a priority for the majority of students.

The smart policy would be to overhaul combative workplace relations to foster innovation and creative workplaces.

The not so smart policy would be to maintain a system that discourages collaboration and risk-taking.

The smart policy would be to build stronger budgets through effective service redesign so we can continue to have a safety net into the future.

The not so smart policy would be to confuse reforming service delivery with crude cost-cutting.

Or, to put off into the never-never that we have a structural spending problem to resolve.

While there may be disagreement on how we deliver the smart policies, I doubt many people would disagree with this list and we need to get on with it.

The role of business

So, in terms of the role of business let me start with what I think business can bring to the public policy domain.

If you take up my challenge to create a new era of cooperation, the most important thing to remember is that business people are great problem solvers.

I’ve had the privilege of working with a range of business leaders, and their capacity to solve complex and difficult problems is astonishing.

So in every policy issue you are confronted with, I urge you to call on leading business people to contribute their thinking.

And don’t put them in a traditional committee structure that will stymie them.

Beyond their ability to solve problems, business has a role to play in creating a moral and a good society.

Like any organisation, some businesses have failed to do the right thing, but we shouldn’t tar all businesses with that brush.

Business is a force of wealth creation. And wealth should not be a dirty word.

As Edmund Burke so eloquently expressed in the 1700s, ‘It is the interest of the commercial world that wealth should be found everywhere.’

And business is a force of job creation. Meaningful work gives dignity and purpose. And a jobless society is not a successful one.

Joblessness condemns people to poverty and removes the opportunity for intergenerational progress.

Stagnating growth disproportionately affects the poorest people, not the richest ones. Slow growth too often means disparity of wealth and loss of opportunity.

It’s economic growth that gives us employment, rising wages, a social safety net, and choices and freedom.

Without growth governments won’t have much money to redistribute to achieve social goals.

Business’s role is to create employment and provide returns to shareholders, and in doing so they create the growth that can be used to tackle core social challenges.

But like other major institutions, business and business leaders have made mistakes.

We need to restore the trust of Australians. We also need to step up to the policy debate.

We need to stand up as leaders and explain why growth will help everyone.

And we need to have the patience and commitment to explain how economic growth unlocks prosperity and advancement.

And you in the academic community must work with us.

You need to bring PhD students into business and expose them to diverse ways of thinking.

And we all need to learn a new language. We need to learn the language of public policy, and you need to learn the language of business.

And collectively we need to encourage society to see public service as an inherent good.

As John F Kennedy said, ‘Let the public service be a proud and lively career.’

Conclusion

In concluding my speech today, I want to come back to the PhD candidates in the audience and give you some words of advice.

First, I would encourage you to focus on real world needs and outcomes when you’re tackling policy problems.

We policy practitioners can be guilty of making things far too academic.

The most elegant policy design will be in yesterday’s news cycle if it can’t be implemented.

Never lose sight of the problem you are trying to solve, but remember to be practical.

If you can get up a solution that is 70 per cent of what you envisioned AND broadly delivers the outcomes, don’t wait for perfection.

I think the most important quality you need to be successful in policy is resilience.

You will come up with many ideas, some brilliant and some not so good.

The one thing I can guarantee is that not all of your brilliant ideas will get up.

Some won’t get up because it’s the wrong time.

Others won’t get up because it requires political capital a government doesn’t have.

But in the face of these setbacks, you will need to be resolute and remember why you’re in policy.

As Winston Churchill said, ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.’

My final message is I would urge you to consider where you focus your talents.

Make the commitment that you will not limit yourselves to academia.

Commit to working in business, and with business, so we can collectively solve the global challenges in front of us.

After all, the best successes are collaborative and shared. The best thing you’ll ever achieve is with a team of people.

And always remember, business is a fundamental contributor to society, and to solving policy dilemmas.

In a recent New York Times opinion piece, the Dalai Lama and Arthur C. Brooks said ‘those in positions of responsibility have a special oportunity to expand inclusion and build societies that truly need everyone.’

That is the challenge and opportunity that lies before you. I look forward to seeing what you achieve.

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Speech by Jennifer Westacott to the 2013 Inspire Foundation Breakfast

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Speech by BCA Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott to the 2013 Inspire Foundation Breakfast on the topic of employment and mental health. More

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Address by BCA President Graham Bradley to the Business Council of Australia 2011 Annual Dinner.
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Time to Give Business a Break

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Who are the taxpayers who ultimately foot the bill for the promises made during an election campaign, whether on a “spend-o-meter” or elsewhere? More

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Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott responds to the 2015-16 Federal Budget. More

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Business Council of Australia 2004 Annual Dinner: President’s Speech

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Speech by Jennifer Westacott to the Early Learning Association Australia

24 October 2013

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Economic Reforms Needed to Build a Better Future

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Australia’s Economy: Performance and Challenges

11 April 2003

Speech by Melinda Cilento, Chief Economist, Business Council of Australia to the National Institute of Accountants Conference, Melbourne.
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Civil Society, the Corporation and Regulation: Speech by BCA President Hugh Morgan to CEDA

22 March 2004

Speech by BCA President Hugh Morgan to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia titled ‘Civil Society, the Corporation and Regulation’. More

Statement On New Training Package Arrangements

10 November 2016

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Australia Day: Daily Telegraph Article by Jennifer Westacott

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BCA Annual Forum Address by The Hon. Scott Morrison MP

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28 March 2003

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Business Council Statement on the US Presidential Election

9 November 2016

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2015 Speeches

View key speeches and presentations delivered by Business Council of Australia representatives in 2015 here. More

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Locking in or Losing Prosperity is Australia’s Choice: Speech by Katie Lahey to the Midmarket CEO Symposium

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National Reform Summit: Article by Jennifer Westacott

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Business Council Statement on 2017 Climate Change Review Terms of Reference

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Superannuation Governance: Article by Jennifer Westacott

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Statement On The Closure of Hazelwood Power Station

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Address to the Business Council of Australia by Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd

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Action Plan for Enduring Prosperity: First Column in The Australian

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24 March 2015

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Business Council of Australia Annual Dinner: Prime Minister's Speech

5 November 2015

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Catherine Livingstone's National Press Club Address

29 April 2015

Business Council of Australia President Catherine Livingstone delivers a speech at the National Press Club in Canberra. More

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18 March 2016

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Senate Must Put the National Interest First: Article by Jennifer Westacott

17 July 2014

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6 August 2003

Speech by Katie Lahey, Chief Executive, Business Council of Australia at the Work Life Association Conference, Melbourne. More

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17 March 2003

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23 September 2016

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30 June 2016

Business groups representing more than 360,000 businesses employing more than 6.2 million people explain why, in a global environment, a more competitive company tax rate is vital for a strong Australia. More

The True Value of Humanities

4 November 2016

Jennifer Westacott on how humanities can play a fundamental role in the prosperity agenda. More

Speech by Business Council of Australia President Hugh Morgan to the Australia–China Free Trade Agreement Conference. More

Jennifer Westacott on Sky News

29 March 2016

Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott interviewed on Sky News discusses the path for transforming the tax system to improve the living standards of all Australians by supporting economic transition and accelerating growth. More

Time for Business to Fight Back

10 June 2016

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Address to the Business Council of Australia by Treasurer Wayne Swan

26 February 2008

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Australia’s Energy Advantages: Speech by Jennifer Westacott

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27 March 2003

Speech by David Murray, Chairman of Business Council of Australia, Education and Training Taskforce More

Business Council of Australia 2009 Annual Dinner: President’s Address

27 October 2009

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19 March 2015

Strengthening our fiscal position is ultimately about strengthening the Australian economy and protecting living standards, now and into the future. More

A Servant to Short-Termism

21 September 2012

Edited extract of speech by Jennifer Westacott to the Institute of Public Administration Australia. More

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20 April 2004

Address by Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Katie Lahey to the Australian Population Institute. More

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20 October 2016

Restoring the ABCC is vital to creating a healthier culture in the building and construction industry and ending unlawful and inappropriate behaviour. More

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18 August 2010

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31 March 2000

Speech by BCA Executive Director David Buckingham to the Victorian Economic Summit in Melbourne. More

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1 April 2009

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Speech by Jennifer Westacott to the Odyssey House Business Luncheon 2014

9 May 2014

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The Australian Financial Review Higher Education Summit

28 March 2003

Speech by Phil Clark, Member of Business Council of Australia Education and Training Task Force to The Australian Higher Education Summit
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Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Address by Jennifer Westacott

2 June 2016

Mental Health Australia Chair and Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott addressed the NSW State Parliament and members of the Schizophrenia Fellowship about mental health reform, community and innovation. More

University of Newcastle Graduation Address

8 April 2016

Jennifer Westacott addresses the graduates of the University of Newcastle. More

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17 April 2007

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13 May 2013

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National Productivity: Article by Jennifer Westacott

24 August 2015

The National Reform Summit will centre on four issues which are pre-requisites for the goal of sustainable economic growth. More

Closing Remarks to the National Reform Summit by Jennifer Westacott

26 August 2015

We expect to see an action-oriented reform agenda from both the government and the Opposition. More

Business Council of Australia Annual Dinner: President's Speech

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Presentation to the Smart Cities Summit by Jennifer Westacott

29 April 2016

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Australia’s Place in the World: Speech to the International House Melbourne University Winter Dinner

14 August 2008

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Workplace Relations Reform: Article by Jennifer Westacott

26 September 2015

We must acknowledge and respond to the changes and disruption which are transforming Australia's economy. More

Address by BCA President Graham Bradley to the ANU Crawford School of Economics and Government LAFIA Alumni Dinner

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19 October 2005

A national infrastructure reform agenda is critical to ensuring impediments to growth are removed. More

Speech to the International Symposium for Next-Generation Infrastructure

30 September 2013

In a speech to a University of Wollongong symposium, Tony Shepherd discusses ways and means of cutting through Australia’s infrastructure impasse. More

One Country, Many Voices: Update on the Indigenous Engagement Activities of the BCA and Its Members

23 November 2012

Address by BCA President Tony Shepherd to the Reconciliation Australia Government and Business Luncheon.
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Business Council of Australia 30th Anniversary Dinner: President’s Speech

4 December 2013

Speech by Tony Shepherd to the dinner commemorating the Business Council of Australia’s 30th anniversary. More

Speech by Catherine Livingstone to the BCA–PwC Tax Forum

11 September 2014

BCA President Catherine Livingstone outlines why the need for comprehensive, considered tax reform is now urgent and profound. More

Business Council of Australia 2009 Annual Dinner: Prime Minister’s Address

27 October 2009

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11 April 2016

The harsh truth is that Australia’s global economic competitiveness ranking has fallen from tenth a decade ago to 21st, behind New Zealand. More

Statement on the Release of Infrastructure Australia Plan

17 February 2016

This plan to meet our infrastructure challenges is a blueprint that all governments, working together, can support and implement. More

Building Australia’s Innovation System: Article in The Australian

4 October 2014

Innovation is the key to improving productivity and the only way to keep us competitive, create jobs and improve living standards. More

IR Isn’t Working So Let’s All Fix It

20 July 2012

Business wants to work with government to raise wages by boosting productivity. More

Business Council of Australia 2012 Annual Dinner: Chief Executive’s Address

15 November 2012

The Business Council of Australia is one of many voices speaking up on behalf of national prosperity and wellbeing. More

Speech on Innovation by Jennifer Westacott to the ANZSOG 2014 Conference

6 August 2014

Why innovation is an imperative for both the private and public sectors, and nine insights on creating an innovation culture. More

People Hungry for a New Vision

05 April 2012

Edited extract of a speech by BCA President Tony Shepherd to the Australia–Israel Chamber of Commerce, published in The Australian newspaper. More

Speech by BCA President Tony Shepherd to the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce

4 April 2012

Australia is a great country. But we are now playing in a much more competitive game. More

The Purple House Fund Launch

16 April 2015

Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott will launch the fund at a celebration in Melbourne in support of the Purple House (Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation).
More

Business Council of Australia President Catherine Livingstone gives the keynote speech at the CEDA 2016 Economic and Political Overview event in Sydney. More

Students Should Not Be Caught Out By New VET Loan Scheme

26 October 2016

Small changes should be made to the replacement of the VET FEE-HELP (VFH) program to minimise the impact on students and the VET market More

Economic Reform Is Needed: Article by Jennifer Westacott in The Australian

29 September 2014

The government's economic reform agenda is all about making Australia more competitive so we can fulfil our potential, writes BCA CEO Jennifer Westacott. More

Doing Nothing on Income Taxes is Clearly Not an Option

12 February 2016

Treasury tax reform analysis proves that doing nothing to alleviate the burden of income taxes is not an option. More

China-Australia Free Trade Agreement: Article by Jennifer Westacott

8 August 2015

ChAFTA will make our economy stronger and create more jobs for Australians long into the future. More

Making Federalism Work: The Economic Imperatives: Speech by Robert Milliner to the Australia and New Zealand School of Government

12 September 2008

Making federalism work is a prosperity imperative, Robert Milliner outlines in a speech to the Australia and New Zealand School of Government. More

Speech by BCA President Graham Bradley to the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce

11 February 2010

Speech by BCA President Graham Bradley to the AICC titled Securing Australia’s Next Decade of Prosperity. More

BCA Statement on ABCC and Registered Organisations Bills

21 March 2016

The Prime Minister’s announcement today that the parliament will be recalled on 18 April for three weeks provides plenty of time for the Senate to complete its deliberations and pass these bills without further delay. More

Australia Day Breakfast 2015: Speech by Jennifer Westacott

26 January 2015

A vision for an Australia that is the best place in the world to live, work, learn and do business. More

Speech by Jennifer Westacott to the YFoundations Conference 2013

20 September 2013

How are changes in the economy changing work opportunities for young people? More

Fairness is a Growing Economy

30 April 2016

On the eve of the federal Budget, and more likely an election, the issue of fairness is becoming a central theme against which policies will be measured, and on which some are seeking to claim the moral ground. More

Easing Companies Burden Lifts The Load For Us All

27 October 2016

When Australian businesses are not globally competitive, the consequences are felt in suburban streets and regional towns. More

Tough Talk Needed to Plan Equal Future for All

31 December 2011

Creating true wealth is a shared responsibility that has a shared benefit. More

Article on Tax Reform by Toby Hall and Jennifer Westacott in The Age

26 August 2013

If political parties were being honest, they would explain the structural problems with the current tax system that make careful and comprehensive reform essential. More

Creating Jobs in the Age of Disruption: Speech by Jennifer Westacott

13 August 2015

Let's approach the workplace relations debate with aspiration and imagination. More

Response to the Federal Budget 2016–17

National Press Club Address by Catherine Livingstone

29 April 2015

BCA President Catherine Livingstone delivers a speech at the National Press Club in Canberra. More

How Our Tax System is Holding Back Families and Workers

16 March 2016

While the tax debate has fixated on particular taxes, we’ve lost sight of what it all means for individual Australians, their families and the next generation.
And there is one point on which almost all of us would agree. Nobody likes a tax increase. More

An Aspirational Australia: Speech by Michael Chaney to the National Press Club

25 October 2006

Michael Chaney outlines how Australia can harness the confident and more capable mindset that is emerging in the community. More

A Workplace System for a Modern Economy: Article by Jennifer Westacott

24 October 2015

We need to design a workplace relations system fit for a modern economy. More

Reshaping Australia’s Federation: Speech to the Australian/Melbourne Institute Economic and Social Outlook Conference

3 November 2006

BCA Deputy Chief Executive Steven Münchenberg outlines why reforming Australia’s federal system is important for business and the community. More

Workplace Relations Reform: Article by Jennifer Westacott

14 August 2015

As our economy undergoes enormous transformation we must prepare ourselves for the jobs of the future in a way that will offer people rewarding work. More

Action Plan for Enduring Prosperity: Fourth Column in The Australian

5 August 2013

Jennifer Westacott writes about the importance of economic growth as part of a series discussing the BCA Action Plan for Enduring Prosperity. More

Australasian Corporate Governance Congress

19 and 20 February 2003

Speech by Katie Lahey, CEO Business Council of Australia, to the Australasian Corporate Governance Congress More

Beyond Tomorrow: Speech by BCA CEO Jennifer Westacott to the Committee for Sydney

14 July 2011

Australia’s fate is linked to Sydney’s, and to the success of our largest businesses. More

Speech to the BCA-Clayton Utz BEPS Workshop

6 November 2014

BCA Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott discusses the base erosion and profit shifting agenda and the need for tax reform to help drive competitiveness. More